Whether you’ve already talked to your North Brunswick dentist Dr. Jyoti Shah about getting dental implants or not it’s never too early to start doing your research regarding your treatment options. Find out more about getting dental implants and how they work to replace missing teeth for life.

A dental implant is designed to mimic the function of the root of a tooth. These implants can be used to hold either a single dental crown or to securely hold in place a full set of removable dentures. Using sedation and a local anesthesia to reduce any procedural discomfort, your North Brunswick, NJ cosmetic dentist will place your implant into the jawbone where your missing tooth used to be. Once the procedure is complete your gums will be stitched up and your mouth will be given a significant amount of time to heal.

The healing period for getting implants will depend on where you implant is and the health your jawbone. It can take as little as six weeks or up to four months. What happens during this healing period that’s so important? Osseointegration takes place. This is the success behind dental implants. This means that the bone surrounding the implant grows around it. Because the implant is made from titanium it is biocompatible, meaning that they can easily attach to one another to become one structure. Implants are the only dental restoration that actually becomes a permanent part of your mouth, and it’s the next best option to natural teeth.

Once your mouth has healed and osseointegration has occurred we will open up the gums to uncover the implant. Then we will attach an extender known as an abutment on top of the implant. The abutment is used to connect the implant with the dental crown or other restoration being used. Your mouth may require several more weeks of healing after the abutment is placed before attaching your dental crown.

Give your entire family the healthy smile they deserve by visiting Family Dentistry by Jyoti R. Shah, DDS in North Brunswick today. If you are interested in getting dental implants call our office today.